expected as further exploration proceeds. The recorded species of birds from the Philippines at present amount to 285.
A letter containing observations on the American Grasshopper (Caloptenus femur-rubrum), with remarks on the same, by Mr. F. Smith, was noticed.
December 7, 1876.—G. Bentham, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair.
Thirteen new Fellows were balloted for, and duly elected.
The botanical papers read were "New British Lichens," by the Rev. W.A. Leighton, and "A General Systematic Arrangement of of the Iridaceæ (the Iris family)," by J.G. Baker, of Kew.
Dr. Francis Day read a paper "On the Geographical Distribution of the Fresh-Water Fishes of India." He says that out of nine families of Spiny-rayed Fish (Acanthopterygians) only two are likewise found in the African region; but one of these is in Madagascar, therefore doubtfully African, the other is also found in the Malay Archipelago, which possesses representatives of eight out of nine families. The fresh-water fishes of Ceylon, the Andamans and Nicobars, he believes, are strictly Indian, while, as these fishes cannot be spread except by line of fresh- water communication, it thus appears highly probable that these islands were at one time connected with the Continent of India. Moreover, certain forms exist in Malabar which are absent from the rest of India, but reappear in the region of Chittagong or Siam. The evidence derived from his data shows that the Fauna of Hindostan preponderates towards the Malayan, and not African, region, as many aver.
Mr. Christy exhibited and made remarks on specimens of the so-called Black Coral (Antipathes) from the Philippines.
Zoological Society of London.
November 7, 1876.—Prof. Newton, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the months of June, July, August and September, 1876.
A letter was read from Dr. Otto Finsch relating to the supposed existence of the Wild Camel (Camelus bactrianus) in Central Asia.
A letter was read from Mr. E. Pierson Ramsay, giving a description of the habits of some Ceratodi living in the Australian Museum, Sydney, which he bad lately received from Queensland.
Mr. W.K. Parker read a memoir on the structure and development of the skull in the Sharks and Rays.
Prof. A. Newton made a correction of some of the statements in Canon Tristram's "Note on the Discovery of the Roebuck in Palestine" (Proc. Zool. Soc, 1876, page 421).
